Nowadays we have got a lot of information about different models of keyboards, and all they are quite difficult to cover. So, we hope, that this review will help you to choose the most beautiful, functional and comfortable keyboard.

In this article we will consider the most interesting models. Althought, the review is limited to some extend due to the following reasons:

• Unfortunately, there is lack of some photos with keyboards.
• Sometimes the photos of the keyboards in the sites are different from the keyboards on sale.
• Not all the models that are on the price lists can be bought.

We did not consider combined keyboards. (A brief review of these keyboards you can find in the Apps). Besides, we did not touch wireless models.

Here you can come across the links to sites of some companies.

Since a keyboard is the only device of text input, therefore:

When the graphic OS had appeared, mice became very popular. We used to mouse functions, but we mustn't forget that the same functions can be easily executed with a keyboard. For example, to rename a file or a folder, it is enough to press F2. However, this way is more complicated, because it's necessary to remember the shortcuts.

But, there are cases when you need not remember anything. There help you the accelerators - the underlined letters in a menu (i.e. ALT+F opens the file menu). With time you will remember all the accelerators, and it would be more convenient for you to use them instead of the mouse.

Besides, today a keyboard gets more and more buttons, the functions of which replace those of a mouse. For example: WL+M close all windows.

Below we will consider some additional keys.

How long is a keyboard life?

Nowadays you can often hear that a keyboard will be replaced by a verbal input. We think that these talks are too early. For example, can you imagine a completion of a form on the Internet without a keyboard?

In any case, in the nearest years a keyboard will remain a main input device.

Let's take a look on the parameters of choice of usual keyboards.

• Mechanism of keys. It defines the value of the keyboard, the price and tactile sensing.
• Mechanical keyboards can be made to have clicks when pressing the keys, or not.
• Another parameter defines how hard the keys are to press.
• Form Factor (FF). The form and place of the defining keys (Shift, Backspace and Enter, they define the class of a keyboard).
• So-called ergonomic keyboards get the users less tired.
• Palm rest ( it can be provided or not).
• Groups of additional keys. They can be internet, multimedia and other groups. They make the work faster.
• Sleep keys must be placed to where you wouldn't press them occasionally.
• Interface.
• Other parameters. Key-top marking, tactile marks and others.

Mechanism of keys

There are 3 basic types of it:

• membrane;
• semi mechanical;
• mechanical, with a click or without.

This parameter defines the cost of the model. I.e.. membrane keyboards are cheaper. The majority prefer to buy the cheaper models, though they have to change it from time to time.

Membrane keyboards

There are two membranes that join together when the key is pressed. When released, the key goes back thanks to the rubber pad with a hole in the center.

The membrane looks like a disc on a plastic layer. The membranes are divided by a plastic layer with a small holes. Since the membranes are on the inner sides of the layers, the construction is protected quite good, i.e. from split coffee.

The highlights:

• protection;
• low noise;
• low price.

Semi mechanical keyboards

These keyboards are based on more durable metal contacts. The construction is placed on a printed circuit board. The keys go back thanks to a rubber pad.

Mechanical keyboards

The keys go back with a string. The lowlights are absence of impermeability and the high price. The highlights are durability and reliability, especially when contacts are golden.

Comparison

The fatigue means how weak becomes keystroke with time.

The durability is the number of keystrokes with a good contact. The membrane keyboard durability constitutes 10-30 million, the mechanical and semi mechanical have it appr. 50 or even 100 million. However, for a usual user it's enough 20 million for 10 years and more.

Click

Thanks to its construction, the click does not allow to miss letters when typing quickly.

Form Factor of keys

The form factor (FF) of keys is a form and a place (position) of the keys.

The defining keys

• Backspace;
• Enter;
• Both Shifts (LShift – left and RShift – right).

Backspace deletes the previous symbol, and it is used to return to the previous web page. Ctrl+Backspace in many apps deletes the previous word.

Enter is pressed actively, i.e. it's used to press the OK button on the screen.

Both Shifts are used for typing texts as shortcut keys.

Notice, that it's quite reasonable when Esc key is made big enough, since it's pressed quite often.

As for Alt and Ctrl, they are usually 1,5 times bigger than letter-keys.

A big Esc key is an advantage!

Enter key form

It can be:

It's obvious, that L-shaped form is most convenient: it's easy to hit it without looking at it. The other shapes are less convenient.

Different FFs of the keys

It would be much better to make Enter key L-shaped and the defining keys bigger. But there are no such keyboards. Let's consider the existing classes of keyboards.

S-FF

Here we have Enter key straight, and the defining keys quite big.

The other variants suggest that Enter spreads to the upper line and pushes out the "/" key, which has to move to another place shortening one of the defining keys.

L-FF

Here we have Enter key L-shaped, and the "/" that shortens one of the "shift"s and stands to the outer side of the shift. It's important, since the shift is moved a little to the center and to the right of Ctrl, therefore, it becomes easy to press Ctrl+Shift.

7-FF

Here Enter becomes 7-shaped, and "/" is inserted in front of it making the typing inconvenient.

b-FF

Enter is L-shaped, and "/" shortens Backspace, and therefore, pushes the latter farther.

Estimation of FF

In our opinion,

1. L-FF is most convenient
2. then, S-FF
3. 7-FF, b-FF are the last.

L-FF makes everyone satisfied when using a keyboard (those who use blind typing and those who not). But people using blind typing will find S-FF comfortable as well.

7-FF and b-FF have equal lows.

Eraze-Eaze

It's another goody that substitutes sometimes the Backspace key. But some find that it's realized awful: the Space key is divided into two parts, and one of them (called Eraze-Eaze) got this function.

It contradicts to the rules of blind typing when the space key is pressed by a free hand (so, it can be either left or right).

Fortunately, in case of Eraze-Eaze the both halves can be set to "space" function. That's why,

Eraze-Eaze doesn't worsen a keyboard.

Ergonomic keyboards

Microsoft company spent 2 years developing a new kind of a keyboard, intended for Windows 95. The keyboard was called Natural Keyboard.

Natural Keyboard features:

• There are 2 zones of keys for each hand. The vertical key rows are turned to each other at some angle. So, a user mustn't keep the hands parallel any more.
• The sideview of the alphabetical part resembles a convex arc. So, a user needn't any more keep the hands parallel to the table.

• There is a palm rest.

Natural Keyboard initiated development of ergonomic keyboards.

The lowlights of these keyboards is the place that they occupy.

If you work with texts a lot and you have the space unlimited, buy an ergonomic keyboard.

After that there appeared broken keyboards, when you can set the appropriate angle. Each half has its legs, the height of which can be adjusted.

A palm rest and a sliding shelf

The palm rest

It appeared with Natural Keyboard and now it's added to the usual ("straight") keyboards.

They can be separate or as a single whole with a keyboard. The separate one is a more flexible solution, but in this case it should have a possibility to go a little up/down.

Choose a keyboard with a separate rest.

Notice, that you can buy them as a separate component for your old keyboard.

The sliding shelf

The lowlights of a keyboard with a palm rest is the place that it takes.

The better decision is a shelf that slides out under the desk. You can buy them separately or together with a desk :). Almost all the computer desks have such shelves installed.

The shelf provides better condition for your arms. Some shelves have quite convenient pads.

The sliding shelf doesn't occupy the place on the desk and makes the palm rest unnecessary.

To make your working place more comfortable, we advise you to fetch an office armchair as well.

The additional key groups

For a long time keyboards had had standard 101 keys until Windows started developing new keys and buttons (a button has a smaller size than a key).

Notice, that some keyboards can include programmed buttons (the definite functions for them are set by the user.)

Windows keys

This group appeared the first (right after Windows 95). The group consists of 3 keys, which are situated between Alt and Ctrl. WL doubles (on the both sides), and WA is only on the one side. So, the number of keys has increased to 104. In the offers you can come across Win, Win95,104 keys.

Sleep keys

Windows 98 can switch on/off the standby mode for components of the computer (ACPI spec) at the definite time or when the special key is pressed. In this case the mainboard must support ACPI. The sleep keys are:

• Power off (power on as well);
• Sleep switches Standby;
• Wake Up.

In the offers they are Win98. On the middle key there is a picture of a moon, the right key shows an alarm clock.

Their position is very important, because you can hit them accidentally, what can cause some problems. There are the following ways of their position (the names are given due to the distance from the cursor keys):

• Close – the sleep keys form a single block with paging keys and are situated on the bottom line.

It's the worst place, because they are easy to press accidentally (instead of the paging keys). Some manufacturers have made them sunk a little. It's still better.

• Middle – The sleep keys form a block together with the paging keys, but now they are situated on the upper line.

The probability to press accidentally is less. Besides, the paging keys get closer to the center.

• Far – the sleeping keys are placed above the digital unit. The Break group is pushed out next to the paging keys.

It's better than the previous decisions, but it has its lows: if you are used to the combinations Ctr+Ins and Shift+Ins, on a new keyboard of this type you might accidentally press PrintScrn. This will cause buffering of a display (it can take up to Mbs if you are working with a graphic editor).

• Peripheral – the keys are situated somewhere far, i.e. above the grey block. It's the best place, especially if the keys are sunk a little.

The peripheral position is the best for the sleep keys.

But there are few models with such position.

By the way, there are two shortcut keys for switching the computer off:

• Alt+F4 (only when in desktop);
• Ctrl+Alt+Del | Shut Down.

Internet keys

They fulfill the following functions:

• Connect to the Internet (via a modem).
• To go to the established site. The number of buttons is different.
• To check the mailbox.

The buttons are situated above the functional keys.

If you are using the Internet quite often, the Internet buttons will save you time.

Multimedia keys.

They allow to control multimedia players:

• to control the volume.
• to mute (i.e. in case of a telephone ring).
• to go to the next/previous track.
• to start playing.
• to make a pause.
• to stop playing.
• to eject a CD.

If there are not so many buttons, you can set the necessary functions for the buttons you have.

If you are using multimedia players quite often, choose a keyboard with multimedia keys.

In practice, there are keyboards only just with sleep keys or with the all additional keys. In the last case the keyboard is called multimedia version.

The realization of the additional buttons by functional keys

Sometimes for the purpose not to occupy much space there is just one switch button MF (Multimedia Function), which switch the functional keys to implement multimedia functions. BTC company is one of those who install this button. Genius has made an analog button called EasyKey.

Fn key

Usage of this button together with functional keys is the easiest way of adding programmed keys (Fn+functional key).

ScrollLock has not been using for some reason for a long time already, though it can be used the same way as Fn key, at least.

The interface. Do we need a keyboard with USB-hub

The possible interfaces

Keyboards can be wireless as well. But they are used seldom due to the high price. Besides, they are working on the batteries and require space for a receiver.

That's why when talking of the interface, we mean only usual keyboards:

• AT (DIN). It's used for mainboards with AT power supply. It has a form of a thick round plugjack – 5-pin DIN. More often in offers you will come across AT, sometimes DIN, and sometimes there will be no any mark (PS/2, on the contrary, is written always).
• PS/2. It's used for mainboards with ATX power supply. It has a form of a thin round plugjack – 6-pin miniDIN. The same plug is used for PS/2 mouse, that's why PC99 spec provides different colors for these devices (purple is for the keyboard and green is for the mouse).
• USB. It can be used for all latest mainboards, because they have a USB-port and the support in BIOS. The jack has a flat rectangular form.

At the present moment keyboards have both AT and PS/2. The price does not differ much. PS/2 is preferable, and you'd better choose it, even if you have AT mainboard. There are adapters for AT and PS/2 ports, which allow to connect the keyboard to the port of other type. If the plugjack is purple, the manufacturer follows the mainstream.

Choose a keyboard with a colored plugjack.

USB-interface is the latest one and, therefore, can implement more functions:

• Due to PC2001 spec all port working via ISA bus (COM, LPT, PS/2) will be replaced by USB.
• USB-port has a wider bandwidth as compared with the old ports.
• USB allows to plug other devices simultaneously, i.e. to connect the mouse to the keyboard.

But inspite of its advantages, it's not so popular due to its price ($15 more).

Is it necessary to have a hub?

A USB-keyboard can be used as a hub: in this case it must have several ports (1, 2, 4) for other peripheral devices. For example, you can plug your mouse to this keyboard.

Remember, that display can also be a hub. Mitsubishi, i.e., releases such models (their names ends with "u", i.e. Diamond Pro 900u). And it's better to have a display as a hub, because we need to move a keyboard quite often (and in case it's a hub, it will drag all cable with itself all the time). Besides, the plugs become invisible.

It's quite convenient to use a display and a keyboard as a hub for low-speed devices.

But those USB-devices as a printer, speakers, an external hard drive require a separate port on the mainboard. All modern mainboards usually have 4 USB ports (so, one will be for a hub for low-speed devices and the other ports - for the devices with wide bandwidth).

Keyboard compactness

Any keyboard occupies huge place on the desk, that's why the problem is how to make it smaller but not at the expense of, for example, the key size.

The second problem is a long distance that the right hand has to cover when using the keyboard and a mouse during the work.

Whether a digital block is necessary

It's useful for tables and some games. The majority are satisfied with the upper line, that's why it would be wiser to take it out of the keyboard for the sake of a mouse.

However, this decision is waning for some Windows shortcuts and different commanders' functions.

That's why the best decision is a separate digital block. They are being released today but cost too much as well as the relative keyboards.

The shortened right side

Here we have a digital block combined with a paging block. The low is that the paging keys move farther, but the cursor keys become closer.

Making the size smaller

Standard keyboards can become more compact at the expense of:

• narrow edging (0.5-1 sm.).
• shortening the distance between key lines.

This decision is quite acceptable. It's much worse, when the keys themselves become smaller, or some keys (i.e. which double) are taken away.

Other parameters

The number of simultaneously pressed keys

It matters in some games. Unfortunately, this factor is not indicated by the manufacturer. Moreover, this is usually not a simple figure, but a table, that is, the number of symbols in a combination depends on the combination itself. And all these are different for different models. However, we haven't found anything about it on the net.

The tactile marks

You can find the tactile marks on the letters F and J, and on the grey figure 5. They are necessary to define the position of the fingers at blind typing.

The marks can be different: strips, dots etc.

Choose a keyboard with the tactile marks in the form of prominent strips.

Low radiation and metallic bottom

The low radiation is a main claim, since, first, it's important for your health, and second, the radio won't creak when placed next to the peripherals. Besides, it must agree with FCC (part 15, subpart B, class B), these rules you can find in the documentation on on the backside of the keyboard.

For those of you who like to have the keyboard on your lap, we'd advise to buy the models with a metallic bottom.

Dark color of the service keys

These keys can be dark or can have the same color as the alphabetical keys. What to buy depends on what you like.

Key-top marking

Key-top marking can be printed with paints (in this case it's smooth) or it can be laser-made (it gets a little shaggy). But in the second case it's more durable.

Filter for the choice

So, the keyboards can have the following filter:

• with the described FF of the keys.
• with peripheral position of sleep keys.
• with PS/2 interface.

Besides, the keyboard must "suit" your taste. Take a close look at it, touch the keys before buying.

Guarantee

Pay a special attention to it. The sellers of high-quality keyboards sell them guaranteed for one year. It concerns, for example, BTC, Genius, Mitsumi products and, of cause, the products of brands.

The models with S-FF

Cherry

This brand german company produces membrane and mechanical 104-key keyboards. http://www.cherry.de/uk, http://www.cherry.ru.

The describe model is absent on their site. The price for a Retail variant is $25. The key-top marking is made by a laser. The design is pleasant.

Lows: the plugjack is grey, the keys are tough to press, Esc is small.

Microsoft

(http://www.microsoft.com/products/hardware/keyboard/keyboard.htm). All keyboards are membrane. We recommend you to buy the keyboards guaranteed for at least one year, especially those, which are manufactured in Mexico and China.

PS/2-interface keyboards have an adapter that allows to connect to USB-port. The plugjack is purple.

Straight keyboards

	Internet Keyboard	Internet Keyboard Pro
Type	Membrane	Membrane
Internet keys	+	+
Programmed keys	2	2
Multimedia keys	-	+
Sleep keys	+	+
Separate palm rest	+	+
A bigger Esc key	-	-
Interface	PS/2 and USB	USB
USB ports	-	2
Price, USD	28	48

Ergonomic keyboards

Natural Keyboard Elite has the cursor keys arranged in the form of a cross, 2 rows of paging keys and good compactness. The size: 47 x 34.5 sm.

Lows: the cursor and paging keys are not very convenient as they are a little bit smaller.

NEC

The site doesn't contain any information about keyboards, although there are 2 models on sale: the first one is of 104-key type, the other is multimedia with 12 additional keys. Both have perfect design.

NMB Technologies

This brand company specializes in keyboard production. http://www.nmbtech.com.

The models with L-FF

BTC

The company specializes in keyboard production. http://www.btc.com.tw. All the keyboards are membrane, not very expensive and of high quality. The highlight is a bigger size of Esc, and a metallic bottom of some models.

With shortened right side:

The both models have the paging keys moved upward, though it's not convenient to use them. But the cursor keys double (on the both sides). The manufacturer has marked these models as ergonomic due to the joist web and division of the keys into right and left. The retractable legs can be adjusted.

8120 keyboard consists of 2 halves with retractable legs.

With multimedia keys:

• 5739KE. 19 buttons, placed above the functional keys. The size: 490 x 210 mm. The price is $18.
• 7941. 15 keys, including Internet and multimedia keys, placed above the functional keys. The size: 466 x 247 mm. The price is $14.

• 9000. 15 keys, including sleep, internet and multimedia keys. The keys are arranged quite effectively. The price is $18.

Hewlett-Packard

There is a 104-key model on sale, though it is absent on the site. (http://www.hp.com).

Lows: a grey plugjack. The price is about $12.

Packard Bell

http://www.packardbell.com The site is quite inconvenient to find anything. The company produces a 104-key model. The plugjack is colored, the keys are quite high. The keyboard is of high quality. Lowlights: small Esc. The price is $10.

The models with 7-FF

None of these models is represented on the sites.

Cherry

6104 LPNRG: the letter L indicates laser-marked keycaps, PN say there are Windows keys, RG indicates Cyrillic alphabet.

Neither the site, nor the catalog contain this model. But it's probably OEM-packing.

The color is grey, the design is elegant. The price is $21.

Lows: the plugjack is grey, the keys are tough, Esc is small.

Industrial Adapters

The company makes the keyboards resistant to heat and moisture.

These are SG-1000 or SG-1040 models. The first one is 104-key ($5), the other contains 107 keys ($6.5).

Lows: the plugjack isn't colored, the design is quite rude.

The models with b-FF

Genius

The Taiwanese company is famous for its mice and speakers, but it also produces inexpensive keyboards. Genius is a trade mark of KYE Systems company. http://www.geniusnet.com.tw. All keyboards have soft keys and pleasant design. All models have S-FF of keys. Some models do not differ from that of Chicony company at all.

Unfortunately, the company has stopped producing 104-key models.

Comfy PRII

Multimedia keyboards:

The palm rest comes apart. The older model Comfy multimedia-98 has a switch key (EasyKey) which switches the functional keys to multimedia. Besides, there include sleep and internet keys.

LCT

We have met only one 104-key model (NK-33). Its lowlight is small right Alt and Ctrl keys. Price - $6.

Mitsumi

The site of this japan company (http://www.mitsumi.com) demonstrates only one photo of a keyboard of KFK-series (with S-FF). This is Ergo Classic model with b-FF. Evidently Classic means 104 keys, and Ergo is a separate palm rest. Mitsumi keyboards are famous for their high quality and reliability.

The keyboard is quite compact and it has a nice design. The service keys are dark. The bottom is metallic. The keys are noiseless. The keyboards are manufactured in Malaysia.

Lows: a grey plugjack; the high legs can cause a break of the keyboard.

Application: Other keyboards

There are other types of keyboards on sale (IBM, Acer, Siemens etc.).

BTC

104-key models

In 5530KP model the reduction in size is achieved at the expense of shortening the distance between key groups and quite narrow edging.

There are Win keyboards with a separate palm rest: 5122 ($12) and 5122D ($15). The last contains Eraze-Eaze key.

With sleep keys

The first 3 models are probably the only which have a good position of the sleep keys.

There are similar keyboards 5126 with a separate palm rest ($10). The other look the same. 8110W model is analogous to 8110Ì, and the sleep keys are situated at the left side.

5201D model ($8) has a metallic bottom, but, unfortunately, the sleep key moved far.

With USB-interface

104-key model 7932m has PS/2 port for the mouse. Price: $27.

We haven't seen other models with a hub.

CAN Technology

These keyboards aren't on sale yet. (http://www.can-tech.com.tw) They have a quite interesting design and bright colors.

All keyboards have:

• sleep keys with for position.
• spring-loaded keys.
• Fn key, which is near the RShift
• 7-FF.

With sleep keys

These models cost about $7.

Multimedia

These models cost about $10.5.

Multimedia colored

These models cost about $14. They are very similar to the previous models but the design resembles that of iMac. They are of yellow, pink and other colors.

Cherry

All but membrane models have a small left Shift key, which is at the edge, at that. The size: 458 x 170 mm. Laser-marked keycaps.

G80-3000 has golden contacts. The price of G81-3504 with 4 USB-ports: $113.

Chicony

This company produces quite cheap keyboards. http://www.chicony.com. All models but for multimedia keyboards have b-FF.

Inexpensive ergonomic model 7906 ($14) with tactile keys has L-shaped Enter key, small LShift on the edge (contrary to the photo from the site), with an unknown Macro key.

9850 and 9810 models have a narrow upper line and far position of the sleep key, in 9810 model they are a little sunk.

Genius

With power supply control

The lowlight of these cheap models with b-FF is a peripheral position of the sleep keys (contrary to the photo from the site).

The keyboards are very compact due to the close key position. Lows: narrow functional keys, including Esc. The older model Comfy-PR98 has a grey plugjack and a close position of sunk sleep keys.

Keytronic

Brand. (http://www.keytronic-europe.com/products) There are only wireless models and with touchpad. The price is more than $110. A small LShift on the edge.

Logitech

It's a brand in the sphere of input device production. (http://www.logitech.com). There is a membrane model Deluxe 104 with a separate palm rest at the price of $22. Lows: a small LShift on the edge. (contrary to the photo from the site).

QuickKEY

105-key model has small Backspace and RShift (with unnecessary Turbo key).

Tai-Hao

The models are usually called Clickers. (http://www.tai-hao.com) Many models have b-FF. There is an unnecessary Turbo key. The plugjack is not colored. The price of F-21X is $5.

Lows: a small LShift, the sleep keys are not peripheral.

Turbo

Unknown manufacturer of cheap keyboards.

The usual keyboards have a small Backspace key and shortened RShift (again with unnecessary Turbo); close position of the sleep buttons (they are pink; the photo is from the site of NT).

The model with ergonomics elements (and with the words Turbo Stream) is called Turbo-1001. It's a simplified copy of Natural Keyboard. b-FF. Price: $10.

Lows: left Ctrl is shifted; the palm rest is not separate, close position of the sleep keys.

LinkWorld

Unknown manufacturer (probably Thailand). There is Linkworld LK-201 model on sale. A good design, L-FF, low keys. The keyboard is very compact, flat. Price: $5-6.

Lows: close position of the sleep keys, a small Esc key.

Application: Some combined keyboards

• Multimedia keyboard. A speaker is installed into the keyboard. The sound quality is not high.
• With a trackball. This device is intended to replace a mouse. The ball is to the right of the main block. This keyboards is ideal for the right hand movements. A mouse becomes unnecessary. Lows: the ball gets dirty faster, the cursor is not so easy to put in the exact place.

• With a touch pad. This goody has come from laptops. The mouse cursor follows the finger when it moves along the screen. The display can be a digital tablet as well, but its quite rough for an accurate motion of the cursor. However, the display is easier to clean, than a trackball.